Joy!

In 2 Cor. 1:14, Paul gave a purpose of his missionary work:  “We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy…”  It’s unfortunate how little joy there is in churches today, not to mention the whole world.  Too many plod along in ritualistic duty, hoping their outward piety will be enough to satisfy God and earn them a place at the heavenly banquet table.

But Scripture strongly indicates that joy in Christ is a central part of what every Christian should experience daily.  “And the disciples were continually filled with joy”, “For the kingdom of God is…peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”  “…that my joy may be the joy of you all.”  “I will remain with you for your progress and joy in the faith.”  “I rejoice and share my joy with you all.”  And many more.

Joy is the #2 quality listed as a fruit of the Holy Spirit, after love.  Oddly, this Spirit-led joy is most precious in the midst of trials, as Paul and others say,  “I am overflowing with joy in all my affliction.”  “That in much hardship their abundant joy overflowed.”  “During much tribulation, you received the message with the joy of the Holy Spirit.”  “Count it all joy when you encounter various trials…”  Even when Jesus was hours away from the brutality of the cross, He told His disciples, “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.”

How can a Christian not be joyful, knowing our Savior, through no merit of our own, has rescued us from the dark pit of hell and transferred us to a majestically beautiful and eternally perfect place where joy, peace, and happiness shall know no end.  What joy is ours who, amazingly, have been indwelt by God’s own Spirit, who is a constant friend, encourager, and counselor.  What rivers of joy overflow in our hearts when we weigh the greatness of our salvation purchased by the One whose love toward those who belong to Him never ends.

When I speak in a worship service or in a training or in a small group, I look at the brown faces of Filipino people and wish for them the same Spirit-given joy that I have.  I wish I had some holy joy dust that I could gleefully sprinkle over them and say, “Here, this is amazing!  See how great this is!!”  But the best I can do is show them the Savior and pray that they will have ears to hear and hearts to believe.  Do you have this joy, even when the winds of adversity storm into your life?  If not, pray that you will see the beauty of the Savior and experience the gift of His joyful Spirit.

I will be experiencing even more joy next week when Sara, Hannah, and Daniel arrive for a visit.  This will be Daniel’s first trip to Asia.  We will visit the places where my family grew up and where they called ‘home’ for the first 18 years of their lives.  On Feb. 6, Hannah’s birthday, we will travel and stay in Roxas City, the place of Hannah’s birth.  Martha and Philip are currently in Israel and may fly here for a visit on their way back to the U.S.  As I enjoy my family here, please pray that more Filipinos will discover and experience the rich joy of salvation.